In a dramatic foreign policy moment at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, United States President Donald Trump intensified his controversial bid to acquire Greenland from Kingdom of Denmark, while publicly ruling out military invasion — even as his earlier rhetoric fueled diplomatic tensions and raised questions about the future of transatlantic relations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Delivering a speech to global leaders and business figures, Mr. Trump said the United States would only consider “title and ownership” of Greenland rather than a mere lease agreement, dismissing the idea of defending a licence arrangement as untenable. “Who the hell wants to defend a licence agreement,” he said, underscoring his preference for full control of the territory — a strategic Arctic landmass located between the United States, Russia and China.
Although Mr. Trump acknowledged that “we probably won’t get anything unless we use excessive force and strength,” he was quick to add: “I don’t have to use force. I won’t use force,” signalling a tactical shift away from overt military threats toward negotiation and diplomatic pressure.
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The United States has framed its interest in Greenland around national and alliance security, with Trump claiming that no other nation — including Denmark — is capable of defending the territory from geopolitical rivals. He argued that U.S. control would “greatly enhance the security of the entire alliance,” echoing long-held strategic concerns about the Arctic’s growing significance amid rising Russian and Chinese activity.
Trump’s comments marked a partial retreat from earlier, more aggressive posturing, including threats of punitive tariffs on European countries unless Greenland was ceded — a measure that had stoked deep unease among key U.S. allies and rattled markets. After announcing a rudimentary “framework” for future Arctic cooperation with Mark Rutte, Trump backed away from tariff threats, saying the move aimed at easing tensions and preserving NATO unity.
European Resistance Remains Firm
Despite what Trump described as diplomatic progress, leaders across Europe have stood uniformly opposed to any transfer of sovereignty. Denmark’s government and Greenlandic authorities have repeatedly affirmed that Greenland is not for sale and asserted the island’s right to self-determination under the Danish realm. Massive protests in Greenland and Copenhagen have echoed this sentiment, with many Greenlanders rejecting foreign control of their homeland.
European officials have also warned that linking Arctic negotiations to broader trade or security instruments risks undermining decades-old alliances. French President Emmanuel Macron and other NATO members have condemned coercive tactics, threatening economic countermeasures and calling for renewed support for collective defence.
NATO and Defence Planning Adjustments
Amid the diplomatic strains, NATO’s military leadership reportedly placed plans for a dedicated Greenland mission on hold, prioritising political de-escalation over immediate force deployment. Some allies advocated for cautious engagement to avoid exacerbating tensions with Washington.
The unfolding Greenland issue underscores the intensifying geopolitical competition in the Arctic, where melting ice has exposed new sea routes and vast natural resources. While Trump’s public rejection of military action may ease the immediate risk of confrontation, the broader strategic dispute — and its implications for NATO cohesion and U.S.–European relations — remains unresolved.
Denmark, Greenland and NATO allies appear determined to uphold existing sovereignty arrangements, leaving Trump’s ambitions subject to sustained diplomatic resistance.
